Adjustable support



United States Patent Olhce 3,527,436 Patented Sept. 8., 1970 U.S. Cl.248-188.4 2 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A supporting device for avertically extensible standard which allows rough and fine heightadjustments by providing a hook-like member, for insertion into a seriesof openings, with a threaded shank movably held by a takeup nut. Alocking action at any position is effected by tightening the outersleeve against the telescoping inner sleeve at a downwardly extendingslot.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to adjustablecolumnar standards and more particularly to the telescoping tubular typewhere a slidable inner tube is supported at various heights by a fixedouter sleeve.

Tubular supporting stands are used for numerous purposes such as thesupport of machinery or conveyors, and in scaffolding and framework ofvarious types. For making adjustments in height it is known to provide aseries of spaced openings on the inner slidable member which index withan opening in the fixed sleeve, having some form of dowel to maintainthe two in a set position. Changes in position could not be easily madeunder loaded conditions and fine adjustments could be made only withmuch more complicated devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The adjustable support of the inventionprovides a downwardly suspended hook-like member for inserting throughan opening in the outer sleeve and through any one of a series ofopenings in the inner sleeve. The inner sleeve is maintained at aparticular height depending upon the inner opening selected. Thehook-like member is held between two brackets, positioned on oppositesides of the outer sleeve opening in the form of a vertical slot extending through the upper edge of the sleeve. A locking bolt between the twobrackets will draw them toward each other and will effectively lock thesleeves in any relative position by binding action.

The upper shank of the hook-like member is threaded for receipt of anadjusting nut which supports the member between the two brackets. Fineadjustments for raising or lowering the inner sleeve may be made quitesimply with the adjusting nut.

It is therefore the general object of the invention to devise a supportfor an extensible standard whereby both rough and fine heightadjustments may be easily made.

It is a further object of the invention to devise a simplified means formaking height adjustments to an extensible standard while in a loadedcondition.

It is another object of this invention to provide simple locking meansfor holding the standard firmly in any chosen position.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent as furtherdetails are disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING A specific embodiment of the inventionwill be described by referring to the accompanying figures of drawing,wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view in front elevation of an extensible standard with theadjustable support afiixed thereto;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the support seen in FIG. 1 shown partly insection; and

FIG. 3 is a plan view of that shown in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Now referring to the drawing, abase 20, which may be of any suitable type, is shown maintaining atubular base 21 in an upright position. An inner tube 22 is slidablycontained within the base 20 and carries upon its top a fastening plate23 suitable for the use to which the extensible standard is to beplaced.

In the sidewall of the base 21 is a vertical slot 24 having an open top,in that it extends to the upper edge 25 of the base 21 (FIG. 2). Onopposite sides of the slot 24 near its top are two similar angularbrackets 26 and 27, having two legs as seen in FIG. 2 fastened to thetubular base 21 as by welding. The upper surfaces 28 and 29 of thebrackets 26 and 27 respectively are separated from each other, butcooperate in forming an upwardly directed buttressing bracket (FIGS. 2and 3) to be further explained.

A supporting rod 30 has an offset end 31 formed as a hook-like memberwhich is adapted to extend through the slot 24. The upper end of the rod30 is a threaded shank 32 for receiving an adjusting nut 33. A washer 34beneath the nut 33 rests upon the bearing surfaces 28 and 29 and permitsthe nut 33 to raise and lower the rod 30 when taken up or let 0E. Theolfset end 31 can be hooked into any one of a series of aligned holes 35through the wall of the inner tube 22, which holes are separated toallow rough height adjusting by changing from one hole 35 to another.Intermediate adjustments can be made with the nut 33 to place the innertube 22 at any chosen height.

The tubular members 21 and 22 can be of various sized cylindrical stockas shown or a number of flat sided formations could be used as well. Tolock the two tubular members into a rigid standard after a proper heighthas been determined, a locking bolt 36 with a nut 37 is inserted betweenthe brackets 26 and 27. Tightening the nut 37 will draw the brackets 26and 27 together by narrowing the slot 24. This locking action forms abinding effect upon the inner tube 22 which is easily applied andreleased.

Changes in height are readily made by locking the device with the bolt36 and nut 37 and transferring the rod end 31 to another hole 35, thenafter releasing the lock, the inner tube 22 may be raised or lowered.This may be repeated with the number of holes 35 available.

The instant invention provides a simplified and highly effectiveadjusting and locking device for a tubular support. In view of theabove, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention areachieved and other advantageous results attained.

While one embodiment of the invention has been disclosed, it is to beunderstood that the inventive concept may be carried out in a number ofways. This invention is, therefore, not to be limited to the precisedetails described, but is intended to embrace all variations andmodifications thereof falling within the spirit of the invention.

We claim:

1. For an extensible standard having a tubular base member with a sideopening therein defining a vertically disposed slot extending upwardlythrough the top edge of the base member, an inner tubular memberlongitudinally slidable within said base member, an adjustable supportfor moving and maintaining said inner tubular member at various heightsrelative to said base member, said sup port comprising:

(a) a rough adjustment means comprising a supporting rod having anoffset-end for insertion through said side opening for supporting saidinner tubular member, and a threaded shank portion,

(b) said inner tubular member having a series oflongitudinally alignedopenings therethrough adapted to index with said side opening forselectively receiving said offset-end,

(c) a fine adjustment means comprising an adjusting member rotatablymovable upon said threaded shank portion,

(d) buttressing means for providing bearing surface for said adjustingmember, said buttressing means including a pair of angular two-leggedbrackets securely fixed upon opposing sides of said slot near its upperextremity, and

(e) a frictional locking member interconnecting said pair of bracketsfor restraining said inner tubular member at any height relative to saidbase member.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,584,905 5/1926 Symons. 3,285,555 11/1966'Bevington 248--407 X FOREIGN PATENTS 284,019 10/1952 Switzerland.

ROY D. FRAZIER, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

